GENS DE LA TERRE

 

LADYBOYS, BORN TO BE A WOMAN

Thailand's Buddhist majority displays what may be the world's most tolerant attitude towards what locals call kathoey, loosely translated as "ladyboys." The term, which does not have an exact counterpart in English, refers to people who are born physiologically male  but, as one Thai saying goes, "have a female heart." Kathoeys include  everyone from occasional cross-dressers to those who have completed gender-reassignment  surgery.
The term "Kathoey" was used in pre-modern times to refer to intersexuals, and then the usage has changed in the middle of the twentieth century to cover cross-dressing males.Although kathoeys do face some stigma and bureaucratic hurdles in Thailand — those who have undergone sex-change  operations, for example, are still listed as men on their national I.D. cards

THAI TATTOO

Thailand is a deeply spiritual country, in which both superstition and ritual tattooing play an active role. Traditional Thai tattoos are known as Yantra tattoos. They are believed to possess strong magical powers, which will protect the bearer as well as bring him or her good luck. With their alleged ability to break knife blades and stop bullets, this form of tattooing is particularly favoured by soldiers and the police force as well as, inevitably, by members of the underworld.

Thai culture is a rich mixture of many Asiatic religious traditions. It encompasses Hinduism, Brahmanism, Animism and Buddhism. Whilst being ingrained in Hindu culture, Yantra tattoos, known also in Thailand as “Sak Yant”, incorporate many elements from these other belief systems. A further influence is taken from ancient Khmer Sanskrit texts, many of which are believed to possess magical powers. Yantra or Sak Yant tattooing is a widely practised form of sacred tattooing prevalent throughout Southeast Asia. Adepts are to be found mainly in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, although there is a growing interest in Singapore among Chinese Buddhists. Sak Yant is usually performed by a “whicha” (magic) practitioner.

SCARIFICATION

Scarification, as a cultural activity, is widely performed across Africa. In essence, it is the practice of incising the skin with a sharp instrument, (such as a knife, glass, stone, or coconut shell) in such a way as to control the shape of the scar tissue on various parts of the body.
Cicatrisation is a special form of scarification, whereby a gash is made in the skin with a sharp instrument, and irritation of the skin caused by applying caustic plant juices forms permanent blisters. Dark pigments such as ground charcoal or gunpowder are sometimes rubbed into the wound to provide emphasis. These cuts, when healed, form raised scars, known as keloids. The most complicated cicatrisation was probably found in the Congo Basin and neighbouring regions, and among the Akan speakers of West Africa.

BODY MODIFICATION

A tattoo is a marking made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons. Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification or branding. The term "tattoo" or from Samoa, "Tatau" is first referred to by Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Cook's ship the "Endeavour" in 1769 where he mentions it in his journal. To paraphrase. he states, "I shall now mention the way they mark themselves indelibly, each of them is so marked by their humor or disposition".

KINSHASA HOSPITAL

The Kinshasa General Hospital, is far from being a bush dispensary. With its 2,000 beds and its 2,250 employees (doctors, nurses and administrative personnel), it is one of Africa's most impressive medical facilities. It offers a full range of services and is the undisputed referral centre for the Congolese capital. Its patients the sick, accident victims and war casualties, both civilian and military have one thing in common: their suffering, which the staff do their best to alleviate with the means available. But those means are often woefully inadequate

 

REFUGEES

Refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Africa who are trying go to get to England, are living in the street near Calais because the refugee camp Sangatte has been closed by French authorities. The dosing of the refugee camp stemed from an agreement between the French and British governments in an effort to stop the flow of illegal immigrants crossing the channel tunnel.

 

CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

The name of the group comes from the Bible: Deuteronomy 26:15 "Look down from thy Holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Celestial and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our father, a land flowing with milk and honey". The name signifies that they deem themselves as celestial or a representative of the heavenly on Earth.
They place strong emphasis on contacting angelic forces through prayer and being on guard against demons or sorcerers. The archangels are given strong importance. Therefore prayers are started with an invocation to Jehova, Jesu Kristi, and Michael Mimo (God the Father, Jesus and Archangel Michael) Archangel Gabriel is said to heal and have jurisdiction of the West.

SEMINARY - FOR GOD'S SAKE

A seminary or theological college is a specialized and often live-in higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students (seminarians) in philosophy, theology, spirituality and the religious life, usually in order to prepare them to become members of the clergy. They attend a school and seminars in Namur for future priests. During seven years, they will study and go into details about the 'call' which they affirm having received from the Lord.

 

BLIND SCHOOL

Student at the School for the Blind in Cotonou, Benin. The School takes 80 blind students surrounding villages and at no cost to their families teaches them geography, science, math and a work for the future. Though the school belongs to the state, it receives considerable funding from ONG.

 

FARMER PROJECT